Burn Pile

Contact Bob Burke or David Turnoy before moving anything to the burn pile. Please read the rules below before bringing material — following them keeps the burns safe, efficient, and enjoyable for everyone involved.

Preparing Your Materials

1. Keep branches small. Branches must be no longer than 3 feet and no thicker than 2 – 2½ inches (about the diameter of a baseball bat). Thicker branches, logs, and rounds will not burn — the fire just doesn't get hot enough.
2. Thicker items go separately. If you have logs or rounds, bring them under supervision and place them at the very back of the burn area where you'll see other similar material. We hope to chip them one day. Please don't mix them into the smaller piles.
3. Stack piles neatly along the roadside with all branches facing the same direction. Piles should be no taller than about 2 feet.
4. Don't bring the forest floor. Duff, needles, and ground litter won't burn. We live in the forest, not a park — leave the floor in place so it retains soil moisture and helps prevent fires.

Rules for Dumping at the Burn Area

1. Contact Bob or David (numbers above) before dropping anything off. There is a particular way the piles are formed for easier burning, and we'll walk you through it.
2. Location:
   • Thicker branches, logs, and rounds (longer than 3′ & thicker than 2 – 2½″): first see about delivering them to Rain Shadow for free chipping. This material can also be picked up at your home for a nominal fee by Rain Shadow. If you must bring it to the burn pile, deposit it at the very back of the burn area with similar material. Please do not mix large with small material — large material doesn't get hot enough and won't burn.
   • Smaller branches (less than 3′ & thinner than 2 – 2½″): should be located as far from the Burn Area entrance as possible to make room for future burn piles.
3. Pile size: No more than 10 feet in diameter, with 2–3 feet of space between piles.
4. Leaves go on top, never on the bottom — they won't catch from underneath.
5. No bags. Material in bags doesn't catch reliably. Dump it out first.
6. Contractors too: If someone is doing the work for you, they still need to be instructed by Bob or David. Please arrange supervision.
7. Dump only during burn-permit season — generally September through May.
8. Burning is done by trained members. Bob or another trained volunteer handles ignition. You're welcome to volunteer alongside to learn the ropes.

Preparing for Spring and Fall Pickup

Those who can help meet at the burn area at 9:00 AM.

• If you have a pickup truck, please bring it — preferably with a tarp in the bed to make unloading easier.
• If you don't have a truck, come anyway and ride along with someone who does.
• We're usually done in no more than two hours, so you'll still have the afternoon to yourself.

We know this sounds strict, but it really does make the whole thing go better. Thanks for your help and cooperation.

Residential Burning

Outdoor burning is a leading cause of wildfires in WA State. Every year, escaped burn piles start fires that threaten homes and wildlands in San Juan County. Following burn regulations protects your property, your neighbors, and our firefighters.

WA State encourages you to reduce burning to the greatest extent possible on your property due to the danger of wildfire. This is why Orcas Highlands HOA offers the Spring and Fall Clean Up.

Download Residential Burning Guide (PDF)

Before You Light the Fire

Consider Alternatives

• Composting, mulching, chipping, natural decomposition, etc. are recommended alternatives to burning.
• Rain Shadow Chipping Program:
  • Free: Rain Shadow has a facility next to the Exchange for chipping wood. You can take your "Clean Woody Debris" between 8 AM & 4 PM, Monday through Saturday. They will take it for free and chip it. Contact Rain Shadow for more information.
  • For a nominal fee, Rain Shadow will pick up your fallen wood and trimmings at your home for chipping. Contact Rain Shadow for more information.

• You are required to obtain a permit from the San Juan County Fire Marshal's Office.
• Know and follow all permit rules.
• No commercial burns are allowed on Orcas Highlands lots or HOA land, except by special permission from the board.
• Know the current burn status. The burn status tells you when outdoor burning is allowed. For updates, contact the San Juan County Fire Marshal at (360) 378-3473.
  • Open — Permitted and recreational fires allowed
  • Closed — No permitted burns; recreational fires may still be allowed
  • Burn Ban — No outdoor burning of any kind
• Be courteous with fire smoke. Controlling smoke is regulated by WA State Law and must not affect your neighbors. You must be in attendance and able to put the fire out at all times.
• Fireworks are banned throughout San Juan County year-round.
• Permit required for burning yard debris and brush piles. NO construction materials, trash, plastics, chemicals, or chemically treated materials.
• Follow specific requirements for pile size and suppression equipment.
• Have proper suppression equipment on-site.
• Control the fire until it's completely out.
• Burn permits are only issued from October 1 through May 30, depending on weather conditions.

Learn More

The San Juan County Fire Marshal is the authority for burn permits and regulations:

• Open Burn Information — Complete rules and requirements
• Fire Marshal Office — Contact for questions

Contact the San Juan County Fire Marshal at (360) 378-3473 for:

• Inspection requests